FOUR teams are still battling to avoid the second relegation spot in the Lincolnshire County Cricket League Premier Division, following Saturday's nail-biting programme.

But Scunthorpe Town are not among them, having ensured they will be playing top-flight cricket again next season by clawing six points from a 37-run defeat against champions Messingham.

Cleethorpes 2nds, Horncastle, South Kelsey and Bracebridge Heath 2nds remain in trouble, the fate of bottom side Appleby-Frodingham 2nds having been decided some time ago.

Cleethorpes 2nds turned in a fine performance in their final match of the season to win by five wickets at Caistor.

Horncastle won handsomely – by 85 runs – in a very important clash with Bracebridge Heath 2nds.

But South Kelsey's bowlers failed to defend an impressive batting total of 236 and they lost at home to Alkborough.

Although already out of the promotion picture in Division One, Broughton moved up to third with a 38-run win over Holton-le-Clay.

Division Two's bottom side Outcasts 2nds won emphatically by nine wickets in the Isle of Axholme derby against Haxey 2nds, while Alkborough 2nds defeated Hartsholme 2nds by the same margin in a mid-table clash.

The division Three championship pennant goes to Keelby and they could celebrate after a maximum 20-point win at Cherry Willingham 2nds.

Hibaldstow move into second place following a 14-run win at Scunthorpe Town 2nds, but it was the villagers' final fixture.

Immingham Blossom Way ensured their safety from relegation with a five-wicket defeat of Barton Town 2nds.

PREMIER DIVISION: Caistor Town 221 for three (Wijerathne 72, Boulton 50), Cleethorpes 2nds 222 for five (Wragg 59, Rob Griffin 52); Horncastle 208 (A McDowell 5-76), Bracebridge Heath 2nds 123 (Freeman 64, Chandrasakara 6-33); Messingham 213 for six (Andy Cook 58, Adam Cook 58), Scunthorpe Town 186 (Chand 66, Rands 6-36); South Kelsey 236 for seven (Wathukarage 125 not out), Alkborough 240 for six (C Ross 135 not out).

DIVISION ONE: Louth 2nds 107 (Dixon 5-17), Alford 108 for one (A White 54); Broughton 149 (Portess 5-28), Holton-le-Clay 111 (P Clark 7-42); Hykeham 83 (Johnson 7-30), Scothern 84 for two; Nettleham 2nds 132 (Spikings 5-28), Cherry Willingham 125 (Pickering 5-22).

DIVISION TWO: Hartsholme 2nds 124 for six, Alkborough 2nds 125 for one (Gray 61 not out); Haxey 2nds 90, Outcasts 2nds 91 for one; Owmby 125 for two (Bowring 69 not out), Market Rasen 64 (Bain 5-14).

DIVISION THREE: Hibaldstow 175 for seven (J Taylor 102), Scunthorpe Town 2nds 161; Washingborough 229 for seven (Sewell 86, Willey 66), Stamford Homes 171; Barton Town 2nds 95 (R Farmery 5-24), Immingham Blossom Way 97 for five; Cherry Willingham 2nds 159 (Topliss 56, Charlton 6-59), Keelby 162 for four (A Bagnall 58 not out).

DIVISION FOUR: Alford 2nds 150 for six (Honman 59), Brigg Town 43 (K White 7-6); Old Lincolnians 117 (Sheikh 5-12), Keelby 2nds 118 for six; Caistor 3rds 223 for nine (R McKitton 52, Richley 6-37), Market Rasen 2nds 56.